Triplophysa zhaoi Prokofiev 2006

Distinguished from its congeners in having 6 branched dorsal fin rays; no thickened rays in the unpaired fins; caudal peduncle laterally compressed and shorter than the head; pelvic fins inserted on the level of mid-base of the dorsal fin; 4 pectoral bony radials, where second radial is only slightly expanded and weakly blocked with the first radial; anterior and posterior nares closely spaced; occipital canal continuous with 3 pores; well-developed free air-bladder portion in the abdominal cavity; intestine long and spirally coiled; complete body lateral line; sphenotic contacting epiotic; minute anterior fontanelle in the skull; 4 basibranchials and 2 pairs of infrapharyngobranchials in the branchial apparatus; the pads of the breeding tubercles are weakly-developed in the preorbital region of the mature males, and such pad below the infraorbital canal is comma-shaped (Ref. 57977).

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 6; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 5; Vertebrae: 42 - 44

Inhabits swampy creeks. A moderately small species, found mature at 56 mm SL or more (Ref. 57977).

Inhabits swampy creeks. A moderately small species, found mature at 56 mm SL or more (Ref. 57977).

Triplophysa zhaoi is a species of ray-finned fish in the genus Triplophysa. It grows to 8 cm (3.1 in) SL. It is endemic to China and inhabits swampy creeks.

Triplophysa zhaoi holds the record for the lowest altitude for Asian fish: it is found at 50 m (160 ft) below sea level in swamps of the Lükqün oasis, in the Turpan Depression, Xinjiang.